St. Patrick’s Day Festival 2024

16 - 18 Mar, 2024, Galway Events Calendar

St. Patrick’s Festival in Galway ☘️

Galway will have a St Patrick’s Day parade in 2024 with what will be the largest St Patrick’s Day spectacle the city has ever seen. Galway City Council have organised a series of events over the course of the bank holiday weekend from 15th to the 18th March 2024, to celebrate Ireland’s national holiday.

Learn all aboutthe life of St Patrick, Ireland’s Patron Sainthere.

The Parade

Visitors taking part in St Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick's Day Festival — St. Patrick’s Day parade

St. Patrick's Day parade — St. Patrick’s Day parade

The St Patrick’s Festival parade in Galway on March 17th will mark the highlight of a 3 day celebration of Irish culture and will serve as a platform to showcase the creativity of local artists and community groups.The parade starts at 11.30am and runs through Galway city centre for over 1 hour.The event aims to celebrate Galway’s diverse culture and talent through an inclusive programme of events. Expect many additional events to be held throughout the city over the bank holiday weekend.

Parade Route for 2024

游行路线(2019年第一次使用)将继续存在in place for 2024, with participants marching from University Road, over the Salmon Weir Bridge, to Eglinton Street and onwards past the viewing stand at Eyre Square and concluding on Prospect Hill.

What’s on in Galway for the St. Patrick’s Festival weekend?

For three days of the St. Patrick’s Festival (15th to 18th March 2024) there will be family-oriented entertainment at the plaza on Eyre Square and possibly a vintage carousel, amusements and children’s entertainment which has yet to be confirmed.

Music

There is expected to be three days of free outdoor gigs taking place in Eyre Square as part of this year’s St Patrick’s Day weekend in Galway, hosted by Galway City Council, from Sat 16th – Monday 18th March inclusive. The full line up of gigs will be announced close to the time.

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Outdoor Film Screenings

Ardán will present a special outdoor screening of selected short films from UNESCO Cities of Film for this year’s Saint Patrick’s Day at the Spanish Arch in Galway city from 2pm until 4pm on the 17th March.

In addition, Cinephile Paradiso is having a walk-in exhibition of early Irish silent movies in the Pálás Cinema and at the Silent Cinema on Dominick Street in Galway’s West End on both on the 17th and 18th March.

Learn Sean-Nós Dancing

Workshops in Irish culture are expected to be held over the weekend. To give you a flavour of events, in 2023 Sean-Nós Dancing workshops were held with award-winning dancer Emma O’Sullivan at Galway City Museum!

Family fun day and Amusements in Salthill

A fun sports day programme is expected forSaturday 16th Marchby Galway Sports Partnership and Healthy Galway to entertain all the family. A big choice of sports may take place for all ages such as tag rugby, tug of war, athletics, pilates, yoga, tai chi, dance, facepainting, corn hole and activator poles.

Drumadore, Galway’s Drumming masters are also expected to give drumming lessons along the Salthill Promenade and all are welcome to go along and give it a go.

Activities usually take place from 12pm and 4pm on the prom and in Salthill Park.

Curry’s Funpark (Salthill Amusements) at Leisureland will also open for the weekend on 15th March and with a family fun day with sports on Saturday 16th March 2024.

Greening of the city

Lighting artists have been commissioned to bring festive colours to the city, with the iconic sails in Eyre Square being lit up and Bádóirí an Chladaigh are expected to light up the boats of The Claddagh Basin as part of the St Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Parade Participants

The 2024 parade will be led by two fantastic grand marshals in an open top bus, which will be confirmed close to the date. The parade is expected to feature an array of community, cultural, sporting and international groups including Ireland’s pioneering spectacle theatre company Macnas, led by the Macnas Young Ensemble. Recognised worldwide for its quality and innovation, Macnas will be accompanied by some of their fantastical creations, such as their flowery giant owl alongside a cacophony of rhythm passion and purpose from the next generation Macnas drummers.

St Patrick’s Festival Galway aims to celebrate the cities diverse culture and talent through an inclusive programme of events. The aim is to create a carnival atmosphere that the whole city can be part of and enjoy.

This year’s parade highlights in Galway City are expected to include Galway Arts Centre, 1st Port of Galway Sea Scouts, Salthill Devon Football Club, Ability West, GCS Judo, Funky Drums School, Galway Bay Rugby Club, Get Rhythm creating a kaleidoscope of of Galway’s rich mix of cultural and ethnic diversity.

County Galway Parades

Athenry游行将在东戈尔韦sa华体会网页版me path as in past years and is expected to start at 11.30 a.m. The event will feature amazing performances by local organizations. The St. Patrick’s Day parade in Loughrea begins at 1pm from Barracks Street. The parade’s “Legends” “Loachra” theme will be followed by a colorful assortment of performances by groups from the town. A march through Moycullen village will be led by more than 50 musicians from St. Patrick’s Brass band for the Moycullen 2024 celebrations. A complete list of Galway parades and starting times can be found in the FAQs below.

Saint Patrick’s Festival FAQs

What time does the parade start?

The parade commences at 11.30am and winds its way through Galway city centre for over 1 hour.

Where is the parade starting from?

游行将高威大学开始华体会网页版on University Road and pass by Galway Cathedral where it will cross the Salmon Weir Bridge, then turn up Eglinton Street then lead on towards Eyre Square.

Where is the best place to see the Galway City parade?

The best vantage points are likely to be around Galway Cathedral and at Eyre Square. The Cathedral is surrounded by wide roads providing ample space for spectators. Eyre Square also offers lots of space to view the parade finale with some great family friendly entertainment planned to take place here too.

What’s on in Galway for St. Patrick’s Day?

预计戈尔韦的活泼气氛华体会网页版duration of the bank holiday weekend. The streets will be alive with the sights and sounds typical of Ireland’s national holiday, with traditional music drifting out of pubs, buskers playing on the streets and the national colours on display throughout the city. An outdoor craft village, vintage amusements and family activities are are expected to run for the duration of the festival weekend (precise locations to be confirmed).

Where is the best place to celebrate St. Patrick’s day in Ireland?

It’s got to be Galway. If you want to experience an authentic St. Patrick’s Day away from the big crowds of Dublin, Galway is a great option. The parade has a strong community element where locals of all nationalities along with visiting groups come together to create a carnival like atmosphere through the medieval streets of the city. Then retreat to one of the many cosy pubs for great food, live traditional music or to watch a GAA hurling or football game on the box. Simply put, some days are better than others!

How can our group take part in the Galway’s St Patrick’s Day parade?

Visit the www.galwaycity.ie website for an application form. Applications must be submitted by February 21 to[email protected]

What other towns in Galway have St Patrick’s day parades in 2024?

Apart from the main parade in Galway City, you can also enjoy parades in the following towns around County Galway on March 17th. Please note that parade times are liable to change at short notice, so ensure you check with local organisers directly to confirm.

Athenry parade 2024(from 11.30am)
Ballinasloe parade 2024(from 1.30pm)
Clifden parade 2024(from 12.30pm)
Craughwell parade 2024(from 3pm)
Gort parade 2024(from 12.30pm)
Kinvara parade2024(from 2pm)
Loughrea parade2024(from 1pm)
Moycullen parade2024(from 2pm)
Oughterard parade2024(from 1pm)
Portumna parade 2024(from noon)
Tuam parade2024(from 2pm)

Is there wheelchair access at the St. Patrick’s day parade?

Two wheelchair accessible areas for viewing the parade will be available at Galway Cathedral and Eyre Square. Please contact[email protected]for more information.

What live events are taking place as part of the Galway St. Patrick’s Festival?

The main live events for the festival involve concerts in Eyre Square, Irish Dancing at Galway Museum, Outdoor cinema screenings at the Spanish Arch and Family fun activities in Salthill.

Why does St. Patrick’s Day fall on March 17th every year?

St. Patrick’s Day is Ireland’s national holiday and it is celebrated on March 17 because it is the day Saint Patrick died. It is believed he died in the village of Saul in 461 AD, close to the town of Downpatrick, Co. Down where he is reputedly buried.

What St Patrick’s Day traditions are there in Galway?

St. Patrick’s Day is a major cultural and religious celebration throughout Ireland and nowhere more so that in County Galway. There are several local traditions associated with Ireland’s national holiday and here are some of the most common St. Patrick’s Day traditions for Irish people during the festival:

Attending Mass:St. Patrick’s Day is a religious holiday, so many people in Ireland attend Mass on this day.

Parades:St. Patrick’s Day parades are popular in many towns throughout Galway. The biggest parade is held in Galway City, which attracts visitors from around the world.

Wearing Green:It’s traditional to wear green on St. Patrick’s Day, which is said to represent the “Emerald Isle.”

Traditional Irish Music and Dance:Irish music and dance are an integral part of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Many pubs, venues and street performers in Galway host live performances of traditional Irish music and dancing.

Shamrocks:The shamrock is a symbol of St. Patrick’s Day, and many people in Galway wear shamrock pins or badges on their clothing.

Traditional Irish Food and Drink:Many people in Ireland celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by enjoying traditional Irish food and drink, such as corned beef and cabbage, Irish stew, soda bread, and Guinness.

Going to the Pub:Going to the pub for a pint of Guinness, Murphys, Beamish, Smithwicks or even and Irish Whiskey is a popular St. Patrick’s Day tradition in Galway.

Whatever your preference, St. Patrick’s Day is a joyful time in Ireland, and these traditions are just a few of the ways in which you can join in and celebrate our national holiday.

What to expect at the Galway parade

As the one national holiday that is celebrated in more countries around the world than any other, St. Patrick’s Day is a day when everyone wants to be Irish. See howSt. Patrick’s Dayis celebrated in Galway below in a great video by Kamil Krolak.